2001-12-12 - France
Le Fresnoy
New Application procedure for candidates wishing to apply to Le Fresnoy (beginning of term: October 8, 2002).
The selection includes a preselection based on a written project which has to be sent before May 24, 2002, and then two interviews that will take place at Le Fresnoy between July 1 and 5, 2002. The application procedure is free of charge. Le Fresnoy would be pleased to receive candidates with background in fine arts, cinema, photography, architecture, design, dance, etc..., wishing to pursue their research with two years of transdisciplinary practice and the realisation of projects of a professional nature in all areas of image and sound.
The study programme at Le Fresnoy lasts two years. The annual enrolment fees for 2002 are 760 Euros.
Application form:
http://www.lefresnoy.tm.fr/pages/fiche.htm

Details: Le Fresnoy is a post-graduate art and audiovisual research centre, opened in October 1997 and financed by the Ministry of Culture with the Nord/Pas-de-Calais Regional Council and Tourcoing Town Council. It was conceived and is directed by Alain Fleischer. As its full name "National Studio of Contemporary Arts" indicates, it is a place of production (studio) as well as study. Its aim is to enable young artists (upper age limit: 35) to produce works using professional standard equipment under the direction of established artists.

Le Fresnoy is designed for students of any nationality seeking to develop their knowledge and expertise in audiovisual media by working on projects intended as a first step towards a professional career. Applications are considered from all educational backgrounds and from all creative fields (visual arts, cinema, photography, video, architecture, music, performing arts, etc.). Students must, however, be free of commitments liable to clash with their course.

To realise his or her project, each student is allotted a budget and given access to the Studio s production and post-production equipment. As well as these individual works, students collaborate on the productions of their fellows and on the projects of visiting artists. Successful completion of the two-year course is recognised by the National Studio of Contemporary Arts diploma.

Le Fresnoy also welcomes visiting students who, if their project is selected by the commission, are given free access to the school s technical facilities and accommodation for a limited period (a few weeks at most). The Studio has exchange agreements with other French institutions such as the Acad‚mie de France in Rome (Villa Medici) and the Ecole Nationale Sup‚rieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, as well as with a number of establishments abroad. Finally, it welcomes those studying for the Dipl“me National Sup‚rieur d Expression Plastique (DNSEP), as visiting students.
Le Fresnoy also possesses its own exhibition spaces and two cinemas, which are used mainly for activities linked to research and production.
Admissions calendar
Administrative enrolment and portfolio deadline:
24 May 2002
Pre-selection results:
10 June 2002
Oral examinations:
1 5 July 2002
Final results:
8 July 2002
Session begins:
9 October 2002
Access Requirements
The admissions procedure is open to men and women candidates of any nationality, who have not yet passed their 36th birthday as of the 1st of January of the year in which they are applying.
Candidates are required to have attained a secondary school degree (French baccalaur‚at or its recognised equivalent), plus an additional four years of study, or artistic or professional experience.
Candidates must possess good spoken French and English. The different stages of the admissions procedure may take place in English or French, as the candidate wishes.
Admissions Procedure
Dates and Stages
The selection procedure takes place annually and in 2002 will be from 1 5 July. There is only one session, divided into several stages:
Administrative enrolment
Preselection based on submitted portfolio
Invitation to first interview (presence at Le Fresnoy obligatory on 1+2
July)
Second interview (presence at Le Fresnoy obligatory from 3 5 July)
Administrative enrolment
Candidates must send their administrative application before 24 May 2002
(post office date stamp as proof), which must include the following:
1 A correctly filled out application form accompanied by copies of the appropriate degrees and diplomas.
2 A detailed curriculum vitae.
3 A photocopy of the applicant s national identity card or passport.
4 2 passport photographs (with the applicant s name noted on the back).
5 A complete artistic portfolio (see further for details).
Preselection on the basis of submitted portfolio application The preselection will be based on the portfolio as well as personal artistic references.
The preselection portfolio is to include :
1 Presentation of artwork
The candidate is to present his or her creative work and development as an artist in one or more disciplines. The portfolio may include written texts (in French or English), photographic reproductions of artworks, films, video cassettes, audio recordings (of sound or music), artist s books and catalogues from solo exhibitions, etc.
Technical requirements Photographs: printed on paper (max. size 30 x 40 cm, max. number 15) or slides (max. number 15) Video cassettes (VHS format): The selection committee will only look at a series of extracts of work (film, video) of a total length of eight minutes or less. Audio cassettes: It is advisable to provide a selection of sound work totalling eight minutes or less. Interactive works: CD-Roms, discs. Candidates are encouraged to send their applications by registered mail and should not include masters or originals. Each item must be precisely marked and numbered, and the application must include a complete list of the items included in the portfolio.
Le Fresnoy will exercise great care with the portfolios and their contents, but cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage that may occur, whether in the mail or after arrival.
Return of documentation Applicants should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (with the appropriate postage, or an International Reply Coupon for non-French residents) so that their portfolio can be returned. Those applicants who choose to come personally to pick up their portfolios must make an appointment in advance with the Le Fresnoy administrative office.
2 Covering Letter
In a typed letter of three pages or less, written in French or English, applicants should define their aims in general and why in particular they want to attend Le Fresnoy. Candidates will be judged on the contents and quality of the letter s presentation.
3 Plans for projects to be carried out at Le Fresnoy
In a maximum of five typed pages, written in French or English, applicants should explain the personal or collective projects they hope to carry out or participate in at Le Fresnoy, as well as their multi- and cross-disciplinary interests. This essay may be in written and/or visual form, and may be accompanied by drawings, sketches or photos.
Each candidate will be judged mainly according to : The originality, the ambition and the quality of their personal artistic production in one or more disciplines. The knowledge and skill they demonstrate, especially in terms of technique. The multi- or cross-disciplinary interests they manifest. Their general cultural level (previous education, ability to express themselves and write well, etc.). The presentation of their portfolio.
Each portfolio will be examined separately by two members of the preselection panel, (who are not staff at Le Fresnoy), and thus the portfolio benefits from a double examination.
At the completion of the preselection process, a maximum of 80 candidates will be asked to come for interview at Le Fresnoy.
The list of short-listed candidates will be made public on 10 June 2002 at the latest.
All candidates will be individually informed by mail of the results of the preselection process.
First Interview Each candidate will meet with a panel composed of two specialists in different artistic disciplines on 1 + 2 July 2002. They will present their personal work, then explain and comment on their projects and motivation. After this interview, a list of 48 candidates maximum will be posted at Le Fresnoy at the end of the afternoon of 2 July 2002.
Second Interview If, after the first interview, the applicant is approved, he/she is invited to a second interview in front of a panel of nine people, including an Inspector general of the Ministry of Culture and the Director of Le Fresnoy. The interview will last between 20 and 30 minutes in the course of which the candidate will be asked to demonstrate:
Their artistic aims in one or more disciplines Their plans for multi- or cross- disciplinary projects and the general orienta- tion they foresee for their work The reasons why they want to attend Le Fresnoy and their general level of culture
For candidates who express themselves in French, a short test of their conversational knowledge of English will be carried out (not marked). Candidates who express themselves in English in the second interview will be tested for their conversational knowledge of French.
A list of a maximum of 24 candidates accepted will be posted at Le Fresnoy on 8 July 2002.
The results of the selection process are valid for the 2002 2003 academic year. Accepted candidates may not put off starting their studies or use their right to admission for any school year other than that for which they have applied.
Applicants may enter the application procedure a maximum of three times, or until they reach the age limit.
Legal Stipulations Any dispute regarding the manner in which the selection process is carried out or regarding the results, are examined and judged by a Surveyance Committee, presided by the Director of Le Fresnoy and includes; the administrator, the two pedagogical directors, the President and a member of the admissions panel. The Committee may decide to interview anyone who might clarify the matter. The decisions of the Surveyance Committee are final.
Application costs
There is no charge to apply to Le Fresnoy or participate in the selection interviews. Any travel or living expenses related to this are at the candidate s expense.
Facilities and Conditions
Time table
The new term will start on Tuesday 8 October 2002.
The teaching calendar at Le Fresnoy respects bank holidays and coincides, as far as possible, with the traditional university calendar but will necessitate, in certain cases, production and post-production work in the holidays.
Le Fresnoy generally functions with 8 hour working days, Monday to Friday. However, the administrative department tries to ensure student access beyond these hours and six days a week to the technical equipment that does not require the presence of a technician.
The study programme at Le Fresnoy follows a precise pedagogical calendar that accepted candidates are obliged to respect. All short-listed candidates will receive this calendar prior to interview.
Enrolment fees The study programme at Le Fresnoy lasts two years. The annual enrolment fees for 2002 are 760 Euros. This enrolment fee does not include student health insurance. All enrolment fees must be settled at least ten days before the beginning of term.
Grants, fellowships There are no in-house study grants or fellowships but Le Fresnoy supports any student eligible for French or foreign grants or stipends. Students at Le Fresnoy are responsible for their own daily living expenses. Students must be free of all obligations in order to be present at Le Fresnoy from Monday to Friday.
Accommodation Students will not have access to the accommodation provided within Le Fresnoy. This is reserved for artist-professors and visiting students. Students may benefit from Housing Aid and have access to student accommodation offered by the cities of Tourcoing and Roubaix as well as other student benefits provided by the CROUS.
Le Fresnoy, Studio National des Arts Contemporains 22, rue du Fresnoy, BP 179, 59202 Tourcoing cedex, France lefresnoy@nordnet.fr http://www.le-fresnoy.tm.fr
Source: Andrea Szekeres by MT